Crisis Intervention Specialist

Harris Health is the public healthcare safety-net provider established in 1966 to serve the residents of Harris County, Texas. As an essential healthcare system, Harris Health champions better health for the entire community, with a focus on low-income uninsured and underinsured patients, through acute and primary care, wellness, disease management and population health services. Ben Taub Hospital (Level 1 Trauma Center) and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital (Level 3 Trauma Center) anchor Harris Health's robust network of 39 clinics, health centers, specialty locations and virtual (telemedicine) technology. Harris Health is among an elite list of health systems in the U.S. achieving Magnet® nursing excellence designation for its hospitals, the prestigious National Committee for Quality Assurance designation for its patient-centered clinics and health centers and its strong partnership with nationally recognized physician faculty, residents and researchers from Baylor College of Medicine; McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth); and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

At Harris Health, we prioritize the well-being of our most valuable asset--our people--ensuring a culture of compassion, collaboration and excellence in serving Harris County's most in need. With integrity and accountability at our core, we commit to 'leading with love', embodying our dedication to quality care, education, and a steadfast respect for every individual's contribution to our mission.

Job Summary
The Harris Health System Hospital Crisis Intervention Specialist has the primary responsibility for managing crisis intervention events in the emergency departments at the Harris Health System.  The CIS collaborates with multiple Harris Health System departments, medical staff, and the interdisciplinary teams to ensure the safe implementation of crisis intervention techniques to improve patient and staff safety, adherence to regulatory guidelines, and improved patient outcomes.  The CIS monitors and communicates the status of the intervention as well as patients' and staff response and ensures that appropriate measures are undertaken before, during, and after the crisis intervention.  The CIS complies with standards as established by professional national and state organizations, evidenced based practice, local, state, and national regulatory agencies, and institutional policies and procedures.  The CIS upholds high standards of integrity and ethical behavior; educates and mentors others; is a role model of professionalism; and participates in system, professional and community activities.

Minimum Qualifications

Degrees: Bachelors degree in nursing or social science related field (social work, psychology, or sociology

Licenses & Certifications:
Aggression Management certification required within 90 days of hire.
Basic Life Support from a hospital-based American Heart Association (AHA) approved program.
Licensure appropriate to education and role
Other certificates as required by unit/service

Work Experience: Two (2) years of work experience required, mental health crisis intervention inpatient psychiatric hospital experience preferred

Communication Skills: Above Average Verbal (Heavy Public Contact),  Writing / Reports

Proficiencies: MS Word, Personal Computer

Job Attributes

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities: Analytical, Medical Terms

Work Schedule: Weekends, Holidays, Flexible

Other Requirements: Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Training, Education and Implementation; Documentation in EMR; National, State, and local regulations governing behavioral health care; de-escalation techniques.

Harris Health System's benefits program is designed to provide you with more flexibility and choices in meeting your specific needs.  Harris Health System's benefits program allows you to protect your income in case of illness, death and disability, and to help you save for retirement.

It is the policy of Harris Health System to provide equal opportunity for all applicants for employment regardless of political affiliation, race, color, national origin, age, sex, religious creed or disability.  Applicants may request any reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application process.

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